Antigen affinity discrimination is an intrinsic function of the B cell receptor

• DOI: 10.1084/jem.20092123
• Publication Date: 2010-04-20T03:30:01Z
• Authors: Wanli Liu; Tobias Meckel; Pavel Tolar; Hae Won Sohn; Susan K. Pierce
• Keywords: breakpoint cluster region; Affinity maturation; Naive B cell; B-1 cell

Antibody affinity maturation, a hallmark of adaptive immune responses, results from the selection B cells expressing somatically hypermutated cell receptors (BCRs) with increased for antigens. Despite central role maturation in antibody molecular mechanisms by which antigen is translated into selective advantage that responses incompletely understood. We use high resolution live-cell imaging to provide evidence earliest BCR-intrinsic events follow within seconds BCR–antigen binding are highly sensitive BCR antigen. High BCRs readily form oligomers and resulting microclusters grow rapidly, enhanced recruitment Syk kinase calcium fluxes. Thus, able read during phases clustering, leading initiation responses.